Video: Backlash after critic calls actress ?a female hippo?

>>> now to a controversy about a movie critics comments on melissa mccarthy and what society says about overweight people.

>> reporter: melissa mccarthy , an emmy-award-winning actress for the sitcom mike and molly and an award nominee for the 2011 movie "bridesmaids." the co her talents are on display in the movie "identity thief" having a strong opening. when the veteran critic rex read panned the movie, he zeroed in on her physical appearance, called her tractor size, female hippo and missed her career as a stud any in being obese.

>> it is completely below the belt . her weight has nothing to do with the quality of the film and rex reed should be a shamed of this review.

>> he said the movie is dreadful but the weight issue is the sole reason it exists. they criticize her. melissa mccarthy has some of the best timing around and all you can think about is the body type. we both know if she was a man, you wouldn't think of calling her fat. her representatives wouldn't comment. last year, she told good house keeping, sometimes i wish i were just magically a size 6 and i never had to give it a single thought. but i'm weirdly healthy. so i don't beat myself up about it.

>> i didn't know this was going to be this long.

>> reporter: reed's review came the same week that new jersey governor, chris christie went on " david letterman " to confront the issue of his weight head-on.

>> i'm basically the healthiest fat guy you have ever seen.

>> reporter: leading some to wonder if weight is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices.

>> i have put on a little bit of weight.

>> it is still acceptable to make fun of overweight people in a way you wouldn't make efun of a person of color or make fun of somebody because of their sexuality.

>> reporter: people should be judged for more than the size of their waistline. for today, john yang , nbc news, hollywood

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50760581/

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